U.S. patent application number 13/041779 was filed with the patent office on 2012-09-13 for slidable portable electronic device with keypad portion adapted for covering display.
Invention is credited to Albert Murray Pegg.
Application Number | 20120231848 13/041779 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 46796039 |
Filed Date | 2012-09-13 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120231848 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Pegg; Albert Murray |
September 13, 2012 |
SLIDABLE PORTABLE ELECTRONIC DEVICE WITH KEYPAD PORTION ADAPTED FOR
COVERING DISPLAY
Abstract
According to one aspect, there is provided a portable electronic
device, including a first portion having a display, and a second
portion slidably coupled to the first portion. The first portion
and second portion are sized and shaped so that the second portion
can move between a closed position, wherein a first region of the
display is exposed and a second region of the display is covered by
the second portion, and an open position wherein the first and
second regions of the display are exposed. The first portion may be
a display portion and the second portion may be a keypad portion
having a keypad.
Inventors: |
Pegg; Albert Murray;
(Cambridge, CA) |
Family ID: |
46796039 |
Appl. No.: |
13/041779 |
Filed: |
March 7, 2011 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
455/566 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06F 1/1624 20130101;
H04M 1/23 20130101; H04M 1/0237 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
455/566 |
International
Class: |
H04B 1/38 20060101
H04B001/38 |
Claims
1. A portable electronic device, comprising: a first portion having
a display; and a second portion slidably coupled to the first
portion; wherein the first portion and second portion are sized and
shaped so that the second portion can move between a closed
position, wherein a first region of the display is exposed and a
second region of the display is covered by the second portion, and
an open position wherein the first and second regions of the
display are exposed.
2. The portable electronic device of claim 1, wherein the first
portion is a display portion.
3. The portable electronic device of claim 1, wherein the second
portion is a keypad portion and includes a keypad.
4. The portable electronic device of claim 1, wherein the first
portion has a first surface and the second portion has a second
surface, and wherein the first and second portions are adapted so
that, in the open position, the first and second surfaces are
aligned.
5. The portable electronic device of claim 1, wherein the first
portion has a first surface and the second portion has a second
surface, and wherein the first and second portions are adapted so
that, in the open position, the first and second surfaces are
offset by an offset angle.
6. The portable electronic device of claim 5, wherein the offset
angle is between 5 and 30 degrees
7. The portable electronic device of claim 1, further comprising a
base portion, and wherein the first portion is slidably coupled to
the base portion so as to be movable to an extended position.
8. The portable electronic device of claim 1, wherein the first
portion and second portion are slidably coupled together using a
slide mechanism.
9. The portable electronic device of claim 1, further comprising at
least one biasing member for biasing the portable electronic device
to at least one of the closed position and the open position.
10. The portable electronic device of claim 9, wherein the at least
one biasing member includes at least one spring.
11. The portable electronic device of claim 1, further comprising
at least one locking member for securing the portable electronic
device in at least one of the closed position and the open
position.
12. The portable electronic device of claim 11, wherein the at
least one locking member includes at least one magnet.
13. A portable electronic device, comprising: a first portion
having a display and a first surface; and a second portion having a
second surface, the second portion movably coupled to the first
portion; wherein the first portion and second portion are sized and
shaped so that the second portion can move between a closed
position, wherein a first region of the display is exposed and a
second region of the display is covered by the second portion, and
a first open position wherein the first and second regions of the
display are exposed and the first and second surfaces are angularly
offset by an offset angle.
14. The portable electronic device of claim 13, wherein the offset
angle is between 5 and 30 degrees.
15. The portable electronic device of claim 14, wherein the second
portion is movable into a second open position wherein the first
and second surfaces are aligned.
16. The portable electronic device of claim 14, wherein the first
portion and second portion are coupled together using a slide
mechanism.
17. A portable electronic device, comprising: a base portion; a
first portion having a display and being movably coupled to the
base portion; and a second portion movably coupled to the base
portion; wherein the first portion, second portion and base portion
are sized and shaped so that the first portion, second portion and
base portion can move between a closed position, wherein a first
region of the display is exposed and a second region of the display
is covered by the second portion, and at least one open position
wherein at least one of the first portion and second portion are
extended relative to the base portion so as to expose more of the
display.
18. The portable electronic device of claim 17, wherein both the
first portion and second portion are extendable relative to the
base portion into a fully open position so that the first and
second regions of the display are exposed.
19. The portable electronic device of claim 18, wherein the first
portion has a first surface and the second portion has a second
surface, and wherein in the fully extended position the first and
second surfaces are aligned.
20. The portable electronic device of claim 17, wherein the first
portion, second portion and base portion are slidably coupled
together using a slide mechanism.
Description
FIELD
[0001] Embodiments herein relate to portable electronic devices,
and more particularly to slidable portable electronic devices
having a display portion and a keypad portion, the keypad portion
being movable between a closed position and an open position.
INTRODUCTION
[0002] Electronic devices, including portable electronic devices,
have gained widespread use and may provide a variety of functions
including, for example, telephonic, electronic text messaging and
other personal information manager (PIM) application functions.
Portable electronic devices can include mobile stations such as
cellular phones, smart phones, Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs),
tablets and laptop computers.
[0003] Some handheld devices are touch-sensitive devices having a
display, such as a liquid crystal display (LCD), with a
touch-sensitive overlay. These touch sensitive devices may be
useful, as handheld devices tend to be small and therefore limited
in space available for user input and output devices. Further,
these touch-sensitive devices allow a variety of input and output
configurations, for example, because the screen content on the
touch-sensitive devices may change depending on the functions and
operations being performed.
[0004] Sometimes it may be desirable to have a second input device
that is distinct from the touch sensitive display, and which may
have a keypad or other input devices thereon.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0005] Embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described,
by way of example only, with reference to the attached figures,
wherein:
[0006] FIG. 1 is a simplified block diagram of components of a
portable electronic device;
[0007] FIG. 2 is a front view of a portable electronic device
according to one embodiment shown in a closed position;
[0008] FIG. 3 is a side view of the portable electronic device of
FIG. 2 shown in the closed position;
[0009] FIG. 4 is a front view of the portable electronic device of
FIG. 2 shown in an open position;
[0010] FIG. 5 is a side view of the portable electronic device of
FIG. 2 shown in the open position;
[0011] FIG. 6 is a front view of a portable electronic device
according to another embodiment shown in a closed position;
[0012] FIG. 7 is a side view of the portable electronic device of
FIG. 6 shown in the closed position;
[0013] FIG. 8 is a front view of the portable electronic device of
FIG. 6 shown in an open position;
[0014] FIG. 9 is a side view of the portable electronic device of
FIG. 6 shown in the open position;
[0015] FIG. 10 is a front view of a portable electronic device
according to yet another embodiment shown in a closed position;
[0016] FIG. 11 is a side view of the portable electronic device of
FIG. 10 shown in the closed position;
[0017] FIG. 12 is a front view of the portable electronic device of
FIG. 10 shown in an open position;
[0018] FIG. 13 is a side view of the portable electronic device of
FIG. 10 shown in the open position;
[0019] FIG. 14 is a front view of a portable electronic device
according to yet another embodiment shown in a closed position;
[0020] FIG. 15 is a side view of the portable electronic device of
FIG. 14 shown in the closed position;
[0021] FIG. 16 is a front view of the portable electronic device of
FIG. 14 shown in an open position; and
[0022] FIG. 17 is a side view of the portable electronic device of
FIG. 14 shown in the open position.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0023] Described herein are various portable electronic devices
that may include a display disposed on a first portion, a keypad
disposed on a second portion, and functional components such as a
memory and a processor, wherein the second portion is adapted to
selectively cover a region of the display on the first portion.
[0024] It will be appreciated that for simplicity and clarity of
illustration, where considered appropriate, reference numerals may
be repeated among the figures to indicate corresponding or
analogous elements. In addition, numerous specific details are set
forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the example
embodiments described herein. However, it will be understood by
those of ordinary skill in the art that the example embodiments
described herein may be practiced without these specific details.
In other instances, well-known methods, procedures and components
have not been described in detail so as not to obscure the example
embodiments described herein. Also, the description is not to be
considered as limited to the scope of the example embodiments
described herein.
[0025] FIG. 1 shows a simplified block diagram of components of a
portable electronic device 100. The portable electronic device 100
includes multiple components such as a processor 102 that controls
the operations of the portable electronic device 100. Communication
functions, including data communications, voice communications, or
both may be performed through a communication subsystem 104. Data
received by the portable electronic device 100 may be decompressed
and decrypted by a decoder 106. The communication subsystem 104 may
receive messages from and send messages to a wireless network
150.
[0026] The wireless network 150 may be any type of wireless
network, including, but not limited to, data-centric wireless
networks, voice-centric wireless networks, and dual-mode networks
that support both voice and data communications.
[0027] The portable electronic device 100 may be a battery-powered
device and as shown includes a battery interface 142 for receiving
one or more rechargeable batteries 144.
[0028] The processor 102 also interacts with additional subsystems
such as a Random Access Memory (RAM) 108, a flash memory 110, a
display 112 (e.g. with a touch-sensitive overlay 114 connected to
an electronic controller 116 that together comprise a
touch-sensitive display 118), an actuator assembly 120, one or more
optional force sensors 122, an auxiliary input/output (I/O)
subsystem 124, a data port 126, a speaker 128, a microphone 130,
short-range communications systems 132 and other device subsystems
134.
[0029] In some embodiments, user-interaction with the graphical
user interface may be performed through the touch-sensitive overlay
114. The processor 102 may interact with the touch-sensitive
overlay 114 via the electronic controller 116. Information, such as
text, characters, symbols, images, icons, and other items that may
be displayed or rendered on a portable electronic device may be
displayed on the touch-sensitive display 118 via the processor
102.
[0030] The processor 102 may also interact with an accelerometer
136 as shown in FIG. 1. The accelerometer 136 may be utilized for
detecting direction of gravitational forces or gravity-induced
reaction forces.
[0031] To identify a subscriber for network access according to the
present embodiment, the portable electronic device 100 may use a
Subscriber Identity Module or a Removable User Identity Module
(SIM/RUIM) card 138 inserted into a SIM/RUIM interface 140 for
communication with a network (such as the wireless network 150).
Alternatively, user identification information may be programmed
into the flash memory 110 or performed using other techniques.
[0032] The portable electronic device 100 also includes an
operating system 146 and software components 148 that are executed
by the processor 102 and which may be stored in a persistent store
such as the flash memory 110. Additional applications may be loaded
onto the portable electronic device 100 through the wireless
network 150, the auxiliary I/O subsystem 124, the data port 126,
the short-range communications subsystem 132, or any other suitable
device subsystem 134.
[0033] In use, a received signal such as a text message, an e-mail
message, web page download, or other data may be processed by the
communication subsystem 104 and input to the processor 102. The
processor 102 then processes the received signal for output to the
display 112 or alternatively to the auxiliary I/O subsystem 124. A
subscriber may also compose data items, such as e-mail messages,
for example, which may be transmitted over the wireless network 150
through the communication subsystem 104.
[0034] For voice communications, the overall operation of the
portable electronic device 100 may be similar. The speaker 128 may
output audible information converted from electrical signals, and
the microphone 130 may convert audible information into electrical
signals for processing.
[0035] Turning now to FIGS. 2 to 5, illustrated generally therein
is a portable electronic device 200 according to one embodiment.
The portable electronic device 200 generally includes a first
portion (shown here as a display portion 202), and a second portion
(shown here as a keypad portion 204). As illustrated, the display
portion 202 may include a display 206, while the keypad portion 202
may include a keypad 220 and other input devices 212 (e.g. a
trackpad or other navigation device, other input buttons,
etc.).
[0036] Generally, the display portion 202 and keypad portion 204
are sized and shaped so that the keypad portion 204 can move
between a "closed position" wherein the keypad portion 204 covers a
particular region of the display 206 on the display portion 202,
and an "open position" wherein that particular region of the
display 206 on the display portion 202 is exposed.
[0037] In particular, as shown in this embodiment the display 206
has a first region 206a (with a height H.sub.1) and a second region
206b (with a height H.sub.2). When in the closed position (as shown
in FIGS. 2 and 3), the first region 206a of the display 206 is
exposed, while the keypad portion 204 covers the second region 206b
of the display 206 (e.g. the second region 206b is hidden behind
the keypad portion 204). However, when the keypad portion 204 is
moved to the open position (as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5), both the
first region 206a and second region 206b of the display 206 are
exposed.
[0038] Allowing one or more regions of the display 206 to be
selectively exposed may be beneficial for improving the user
experience when using the device 200. For example, when a user is
using the keypad 220 to compose a message, the user may only want
to use a smaller region of the display 206 and accordingly only the
first region 206a may be exposed (e.g. the device 200 can be used
while in the closed position). However, the user may want to
perform other actions, such as watching a video or browsing the
Internet, and may desire to have a larger display 206. Accordingly,
the user can move the keypad portion 204 into the open position,
exposing the second region 206b of the display 206. This increases
the height of the display 206 from H.sub.1 to H.sub.2 and thus
increases the exposed area of the display 206, while still allowing
the user to use the keypad portion 204 (e.g. to type a message, and
so on).
[0039] The slide portion 205 and keypad portion 204 may be slidably
coupled together via a slide mechanism, as indicated generally as
219. In some embodiments, the slide mechanism 219 may include
interlocking slide rails in the display portion 202 and keypad
portion 204. The slide mechanism 219 allows for relative movement
between the slide portion 205 and the keypad portion 204 in one
direction (e.g. along the longitudinal axis of the device 200) but
generally inhibits movement in other directions.
[0040] In some embodiments, the slide mechanism 219 may include one
or more biasing members (e.g. a spring, such as a compression or
extension spring, or another biasing member). The biasing members
may be used to encourage the keypad portion 204 to move to one or
more of the open position and the closed position. For example, a
linear spring 221 in the slide mechanism 219 may be compressed when
the portable electronic device 200 is in the closed position (see
FIG. 3) and extended when the portable electronic device 200 is in
the open position (see FIG. 5).
[0041] In some embodiments, when the device 200 is in the closed
position, the keypad portion 204 is disposed above the display
portion 202 so as to hide the second region 206b. In this position,
the surface S2 of the keypad portion 204 is offset from the surface
S1 of the display portion 202 by a distance t.sub.1.
[0042] In some embodiments, as the keypad portion 204 is opened,
the surfaces S1 and S2 may be aligned. For example, the slide
mechanism 219 may follow the profile 203 of the display portion 202
(with the profile 203 having a recessed region with a depth t.sub.2
from the surface S1 of the display portion 202) so that as the
keypad portion 204 moves into the open position, the keypad portion
204 "drops" (e.g. moves in a direction normal to the surface S1 of
the display portion 202) to align the two surfaces S1 and S2. The
depth t.sub.2 is generally equal to the offset distance t.sub.1
[0043] In some embodiments, the shape of the keypad portion 204 may
facilitate aligning the surfaces S1 and S2. For example, as shown
the keypad portion 204 may include a narrow portion 204a and a wide
portion 204b. The narrow and wide portions 204a, 204b are generally
complementary to the profile 203 of the display portion 202 (as
shown in FIG. 5) so that the surfaces S1 and S2 can be aligned in
the open position
[0044] Aligning the surfaces S1 and S2 when the portable electronic
device 200 is open may be beneficial. For example, user interaction
with the portable electronic device 200 may be improved as a user
may be able to transition from engaging the first surface S1 (e.g.
touching the display 206 using a finger) to engaging the second
surface S2 (e.g. the input devices 212 or keypad 220) generally
without encountering major discontinuities therebetween, such as a
lip or stepped portion. This may be particularly beneficial where
both the display portion 202 and keypad portion 204 include touch
screen elements.
[0045] In some embodiments, one or more locks or latches (e.g.
mechanical locks, magnets, etc.) may be provided in one or more of
the display portion 202 and keypad portion 204 to help secure the
portable electronic device in one or more of the closed position
and the open position. For example, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 5,
magnets 215a, 215b in the keypad portion 204 and display portion
202 (respectively) may attract each other and help retain the
device 200 in the closed position, but may not substantially
interact with each other when the device 200 is in the open
position.
[0046] During use, from the closed position (shown in FIG. 2), a
user may push downwardly on the keypad portion 204 (e.g. using a
thumb or finger) to open the device 200 and expose the second
region 206b of the display. When the user wants to move the
portable electronic device 200 back to the closed position, the
user may push up on the keypad portion 204 to close the device 200
and cover the second region 206b of the device. In some
embodiments, movement into one or both of the open and closed
position may be facilitated by a spring or other biasing
member.
[0047] In some embodiments, when in the closed position, the first
region 206a of the display 206 may be active (e.g. powered) while
the second region 206b will be deactivated. This may help to reduce
power consumption of the portable electronic device 200.
Accordingly, closing the device 200 may help extend battery life.
Furthermore, covering the second region 206b may protect the second
region 206b from damage, such as scratches or nicks that could
result from carrying the device 200 in a user's pocket or purse,
for example.
[0048] In some embodiments, the display 206 could be an LCD display
with touch screen capabilities. For example, the display 206 could
be the display 118 as generally described above. In some instances,
both regions 206a, 206b may have touch screen capabilities. In
other embodiments, only one of the regions (e.g. the second region
206b) may be a touch screen. In some other embodiments, the display
206 may not be a touch screen display.
[0049] The portable electronic device 200 may also include other
input apparatus, such as navigation keys or buttons, a physical or
virtual keyboard, a trackpad, a trackball, multimedia keys, etc.
For example, in this embodiment the keypad portion 204 includes one
or more input devices 212, which could include an optical
navigation module (e.g. a trackpad), buttons, such as a phone
application button, a home screen button, etc. In various
embodiments, these input devices may include optical sensors,
mechanical buttons, "soft keys", or various combinations
thereof.
[0050] In this embodiment, the keypad portion 204 includes physical
buttons 208 and 210. In some embodiments, buttons 208, 210 could be
used for navigation, volume control, or for other purposes. The
portable electronic device 200 as shown also includes an audio jack
217, which may be used to couple the portable electronic device 200
to a speaker, a microphone, etc.
[0051] The keypad 220 may include a plurality of alphanumeric keys
for inputting data into and otherwise controlling the portable
electronic device 200. In some embodiments, the keys may represent
an alphabet and may be arranged with a standard keyboard layout
(e.g. QWERTY, QWERTZ, DVORAK, etc.) or according to other
particular patterns. In some embodiments, the keypad 220 could be a
physical keypad 220 with mechanical keys. In other embodiments, the
keypad 220 could be a touch screen with soft keys.
[0052] Turning now to FIGS. 6 to 9, illustrated therein is a
portable electronic device 300 according to another embodiment. The
portable electronic device 300 is similar to the portable
electronic device 200, and includes a first portion (shown here as
a display portion 302 including a display 306), and a second
portion (shown here as a keypad portion 304 and which could include
a keypad or other input devices, or both).
[0053] Generally similar to as described above, the display portion
302 and keypad portion 304 are sized and shaped so that the keypad
portion 304 can move between a "closed position" wherein the a
first region 306a of the display 306 is exposed while the keypad
portion 304 covers a second region 306b of the display 306, and an
"open position" wherein both the first and second regions 306a,
306b of the display 306 are exposed.
[0054] In this embodiment, the keypad portion 304 is slidably
coupled to the display portion 302 using a slide mechanism 313 so
as to move between the closed position and the open position. In
particular, in the closed position the display 306 has an effective
height of H.sub.3, while in the open position the display 306 has
an effective height of H.sub.4. Accordingly, a user can move the
keypad portion 304 between the open and closed position depending
on the desired screen size, and furthermore can use the keypad
portion 304 in both the open and closed positions.
[0055] In this embodiment however, the keypad portion 304 moves
linearly and does not "drop down". Accordingly, the surfaces S1, S2
of the display portion 302 and keypad portion 304 remain offset by
an offset distance t.sub.3 in both the open and closed
positions.
[0056] This embodiment may be advantageous as it may provide a user
with a tactile sensation when moving between the keypad portion 304
and the display portion 302, which may assist the user in
identifying what portion of the device 300 they are contacting.
This may be assist in facilitating typing using the keypad portion
304 or the display portion 302 (or both), for example.
[0057] As shown, the slide mechanism 313 could include interlocking
rails between the display portion 302 and the keypad portion 304
along the sides of the device 300.
[0058] Turning now to FIGS. 10 to 13, illustrated therein is a
portable electronic device 400 according to yet another embodiment.
The portable electronic device 400 is generally similar to the
devices 200, 300 as described above and includes a first portion
(shown here as a display portion 402 including a display 406), and
a second portion (shown here as a keypad portion 404).
[0059] Similar to as above, the display portion 402 and keypad
portion 404 are sized and shaped so that the keypad portion 404 can
move between a "closed position" wherein a first region 406a of the
display 406 is exposed while the keypad portion 404 covers a second
region 406b of the display 406, and an "open position" wherein both
the first and second regions 406a, 406b of the display 406 are
exposed.
[0060] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the keypad portion 404 may
be slidable or otherwise moveable to a first open position
(indicated generally as 404a in FIG. 13) wherein the surfaces S3,
S4 of the display portion 402 and keypad portion 404 are aligned,
similar to the portable electronic device 200 as described
above.
[0061] However, in this embodiment the keypad portion 404 is also
movable into a second open position (indicated generally as 404b in
FIG. 13) wherein the surfaces S3, S4 of the display portion 402 and
keypad portion 404 are inclined at an offset angle .theta.. For
example, the keypad portion 404 may include a first end 404c
adapted to be received in a notch 402a on the display portion 402
so that an abutment 404d on the keypad portion 404 is supported at
an angle by a rest portion 402b on the display portion and defines
the offset angle .theta.. Offsetting the surfaces S3 and S4 by an
offset angle .theta. may be advantageous, for example when typing
using the keypad portion 404.
[0062] In some embodiments, the offset angle .theta. may be between
5 degrees and 30 degrees. In some embodiments, the offset angle
.theta. may be between 10 degrees and 20 degrees. In some
embodiments, the offset angle .theta. may be approximately 15
degrees.
[0063] This embodiment may provide the user with the ability to
have a device 400 that operates in multiple positions, namely a
closed position wherein the second region 406b is covered, and two
open positions: one where the surfaces S3, S4 are aligned (e.g. the
first open position 404a), and another where the surfaces S3, S4
are offset by the offset angle .theta. (e.g. the second open
position 404b).
[0064] Finally, turning now to FIGS. 14 to 17, illustrated therein
is a portable electronic device 500 according to yet another
embodiment. The portable electronic device 500 is generally similar
to the portable electronic device 200 as described above, and
includes a first portion (shown here as a display portion 502
including a display 506) and a second portion (shown here as a
keypad portion 504). In this embodiment, the portable electronic
device 500 also includes a third portion (shown here as a base
portion 503) that is slidably coupled to both the display portion
502 and keypad portion 504.
[0065] Accordingly, the keypad portion 504 can move downwards
(relative to the base portion 503) to expose a region of the
display 506, similar to the portable electronic device 200.
However, the display portion 502 may also be moved upwardly
relative to the base portion 503 to an extended position (indicated
generally as 502a) while the keypad portion 504 is moved
downwardly. The movement of both the keypad portion 504 and display
portion 502 may cooperate to expose the desired region of the
display 506.
[0066] Furthermore, movement of the display portion 502 and keypad
portion 504 relative to the base portion 503 will allow the keypad
portion 504 to "drop down" (similar to device 200) so that the
surfaces S1, S2 of the display portion 502 and keypad portion 504
can be aligned.
[0067] This embodiment may provide various benefits. For example,
since both the display portion 502 and keypad portion 504 can move
relative to the base portion 503, the overall size of the device
500 when in the closed position may be relatively smaller, while
still allowing for a large display 506 to be provided on the
display portion 502 to be provided, particularly when the device is
in the open position. This embodiment may also allow the device 500
to be operated in different modes, a "fully closed" mode wherein
the display portion 502 and keypad portion 504 are closed, one or
more "intermediate" modes, wherein one of the display portion 502
and keypad portion 504 is open or extended and the other is closed,
and a "fully open" mode wherein both the display portion 502 and
keypad portion 504 are extended. This may be beneficial as it may
allow for various operational configurations for the device 500
depending on which mode or state the device 500 is in.
[0068] The various embodiments as described herein may provide one
or more benefits. For example, some embodiments may provide for a
device that can be operated in both a small configuration and a
large configuration. In particular, the size of the display on a
device may be varied depending on the particular configuration of
the device, and generally the effective area of the display may be
increased by sliding or otherwise moving a keypad portion so as to
uncover more of the display as desired. This may be useful, for
example, as it may allow the overall device to be small when closed
while still allowing for a large display to be used when open,
particularly with a keypad. Furthermore, some embodiments may
provide for a smooth transition between the display portion and a
keypad portion by dropping the keypad portion to be level or flush
with the display portion.
[0069] While reference has been made herein to portable electronic
devices wherein a first portion is a display portion and a second
portion is a keypad portion, this is not meant to be limiting and
other configurations are possible. For example, the first portion
and second portion may both be touchscreen portions with no keypad.
In other examples, the first portion may have a keypad and the
second portion may include a display.
[0070] While the above description provides examples of one or more
processes or apparatuses, it will be appreciated that other
processes or apparatuses may be within the scope of the
accompanying claims.
* * * * *